Will be as constructive as I am able Steve
As your article in no way attempts to discuss the position the riddles songs occupied in oral literature, your article is incomplete and gives only a one-sided view of the genre - that of print
As I have never accepted the nonsensical view that most/all our folk songs originated in print or via the ancient commercial pop music or entertainment industry, as I folk song enthusiast, I find your article rather unsatisfactory
The Riddle songs certainly were part of the oral tradition; even up to the mid 20th century, Captain Wedderburn's Courtship was still very much part of the repertoire here in the West of Ireland.
Songs like 'Riddles' are almost ritualistic in their use of folk motifs found throughout the oral tradition, particularly in the folktales, but as you have consigned these to having literary origins, thare's nothing musch more to be said.
Sorry I can't be more constructive than that, though I will add that was highly impressed with the way you put Prof Child firmly in his place over his misjudgement of broadsides.
Jim Carroll